Commendation of Phoebe and Personal Greetings
Study note
Paul commends Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea, who likely carried this letter to Rome. He then greets over twenty-five individuals by name, including Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives for him, Andronicus and Junia who were in Christ before him, and many others described as hard workers, beloved friends, and fellow laborers. The diversity of names reflects the multicultural composition of the Roman church, including both Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free persons.
1 I want to introduce you to our sister Phoebe. She serves the church in the town of Cenchrea. I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 Please welcome her in the Lord the way God's people should, and give her any help she needs. She has been a tremendous help to many people, including me personally. That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila for me. They are my partners in working for Christ Jesus. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 They put their own lives on the line to save mine. I am not the only one who is grateful to them -- every non-Jewish church thanks them too. Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Also say hello to the church that gathers in their home. Give my love to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the very first person in Achaia to put his faith in Christ. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epænetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Say hello to Mary. She has poured herself into working for us. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Say hello to Andronicus and Junia. They are my relatives and were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles, and they were followers of Christ even before I was. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Say hello to Amplias, my dear friend who belongs to the Lord. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Say hello to Urbane, who works alongside us for Christ, and to my dear friend Stachys. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Say hello to Apelles, who has proven himself in Christ. Say hello to everyone in the household of Aristobulus. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Say hello to Herodion, my relative. Say hello to the people in the household of Narcissus who belong to the Lord. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Say hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who work hard for the Lord. Say hello to dear Persis, who has worked very hard for the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Say hello to Rufus, who is a great follower of the Lord. Also greet his mother, who has been like a mother to me too. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Say hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and all the believers who meet with them. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Say hello to Philologus and Julia, to Nereus and his sister, to Olympas, and to all God's people who are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Welcome each other warmly with a holy kiss. Every church that belongs to Christ sends their greetings to you. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Warning Against Divisive People
Study note
Paul shifts to a firm warning about those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teaching the Roman believers received. Such people serve their own appetites, using smooth talk and flattery to deceive the unsuspecting. Paul commends the Roman church's well-known obedience but wants them to be wise about good and innocent about evil. He assures them that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet.
17 One more thing, friends: watch out for people who cause trouble and throw obstacles in your path that go against what you have been taught. Keep your distance from them. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 People like that are not truly serving our Lord Jesus Christ. They are only serving their own appetites. They use smooth-sounding and flattering words to fool people who do not see it coming. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 Everyone knows about your faithfulness, and that makes me very happy. I want you to be experts at doing good and completely inexperienced at doing evil. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet very soon. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Final Greetings and Doxology
Study note
Paul's companions send their greetings, including Timothy, his fellow worker, and Tertius, the scribe who penned the letter. The epistle concludes with a soaring doxology that forms a fitting bookend to the letter's opening. God is able to strengthen believers according to the gospel and the revelation of the mystery kept secret for ages but now disclosed through the prophetic Scriptures. To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever.
21 Timothy, my partner in the work, sends his greetings. So do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, who are my relatives. Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing down this letter, send you my greetings in the Lord. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius sends you his greetings. I am staying at his house, and the whole church meets here. Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and so does our brother Quartus. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now, glory to the God who is able to make you stand firm! His plan matches the good news I share and the message about Jesus Christ. This plan was kept hidden as a secret for ages and ages, Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 but now it has been brought into the open. Through the writings of the prophets, and by the command of the eternal God, it has been made known to every nation, so that people everywhere would trust and obey God. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God, the only one who is truly wise, be glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.